Getting a good deal for multiple internal USA flights?
Discussion
I am planning/booking a solo USA trip for after christmas which will require multiple internal flights out there:
DC to New york
New york to Seattle
Seattle to Chicago
Chicago to DC.
These are coming out at around 1100 USD from American Airlines in Business.
I would prefer to try and get bit of a deal for the multiple flights, as total holiday flying cost of £2500 is starting to sting a bit...
Anyone managed to get a good deal from an airline for multiple flights?
If so who is best to speak to, the air lines them self or a broker/agent.
It needs to be in business, as my golden rule is more than 2 hours flight needs to be business.
I have long legs
Cheers.
DC to New york
New york to Seattle
Seattle to Chicago
Chicago to DC.
These are coming out at around 1100 USD from American Airlines in Business.
I would prefer to try and get bit of a deal for the multiple flights, as total holiday flying cost of £2500 is starting to sting a bit...
Anyone managed to get a good deal from an airline for multiple flights?
If so who is best to speak to, the air lines them self or a broker/agent.
It needs to be in business, as my golden rule is more than 2 hours flight needs to be business.
I have long legs
Cheers.
Internal flights are extortionately expensive. $1100 for all those in economy would be a bargain let alone business.
Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
Also, business class internal for the US is crap. Don’t get your hopes up for turndown service. What you usually end up with is a bigger seat. That’s it. Finally, not all routes have business. When I flew from NJ to Kentucky I was quoted $900. I asked if that was first class and they laughed at me.
Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
Also, business class internal for the US is crap. Don’t get your hopes up for turndown service. What you usually end up with is a bigger seat. That’s it. Finally, not all routes have business. When I flew from NJ to Kentucky I was quoted $900. I asked if that was first class and they laughed at me.
That is a good price...AA internal business wasn’t really worth it to be honest.
Last time we flew on an AA flight, they had a single spare business seat and they went down the cabin asking if anyone wanted to move up there. No one did.
This was for a flight approx 4 hours.
I’d get that bought!
You can buy legs individually, usually for exactly 1/2 the cost of the return. If money is a concern, you could just buy the longer legs in business if you must and the shorter legs in cattle
Last time we flew on an AA flight, they had a single spare business seat and they went down the cabin asking if anyone wanted to move up there. No one did.
This was for a flight approx 4 hours.
I’d get that bought!
You can buy legs individually, usually for exactly 1/2 the cost of the return. If money is a concern, you could just buy the longer legs in business if you must and the shorter legs in cattle
h0b0 said:
Internal flights are extortionately expensive. $1100 for all those in economy would be a bargain let alone business.
Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
Also, business class internal for the US is crap. Don’t get your hopes up for turndown service. What you usually end up with is a bigger seat. That’s it. Finally, not all routes have business. When I flew from NJ to Kentucky I was quoted $900. I asked if that was first class and they laughed at me.
Really? I’ve never found internal flights in economy to be expensive in the US. We tend to use Southwest Airlines as they’re cheap and include hold luggage for free.Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
Also, business class internal for the US is crap. Don’t get your hopes up for turndown service. What you usually end up with is a bigger seat. That’s it. Finally, not all routes have business. When I flew from NJ to Kentucky I was quoted $900. I asked if that was first class and they laughed at me.
You’re spot on about business class internally, usually just a slightly larger seat, nothing worth writing home about. Most airlines seem to offer an economy plus these days that is cheapish and gives a bit of extra room.
djc206 said:
Really? I’ve never found internal flights in economy to be expensive in the US. We tend to use Southwest Airlines as they’re cheap and include hold luggage for free.
It’s relative. Easy jet will get you to Barcelona for 20 quid. In the US an equivalent flight would be $2-300.The trains mentioned before are also expensive when compared to off peak bargain fares in the UK.
One option to consider is Turo. I have not used it but my brother in laws have had a P100 Tesla and this for cheap.
h0b0 said:
It’s relative. Easy jet will get you to Barcelona for 20 quid. In the US an equivalent flight would be $2-300.
The trains mentioned before are also expensive when compared to off peak bargain fares in the UK.
I’m sorry but that’s just not correct, you can fly cheap in the States and I’ve no idea where you’ve plucked $200-300 from. The trains mentioned before are also expensive when compared to off peak bargain fares in the UK.
Because I’m doing it later in the year I’ve just looked up Dallas to Las Vegas (further than London to Barcelona), £47 with spirit (bad idea) or £54 with AA. I’ve never paid anywhere near the amount you suggest for an internal flight. I think we paid around £30 to get from LA to SFO last time we went, and you can do Vegas from LA for the same.
I’ve just found NYC to Seattle for less than £100. That’s a 6hr30m flight, the APD alone from the U.K. on that length flight is £78!
djc206 said:
I’m sorry but that’s just not correct, you can fly cheap in the States and I’ve no idea where you’ve plucked $200-300 from.
Because I’m doing it later in the year I’ve just looked up Dallas to Las Vegas (further than London to Barcelona), £47 with spirit (bad idea) or £54 with AA. I’ve never paid anywhere near the amount you suggest for an internal flight. I think we paid around £30 to get from LA to SFO last time we went, and you can do Vegas from LA for the same.
I’ve just found NYC to Seattle for less than £100. That’s a 6hr30m flight, the APD alone from the U.K. on that length flight is £78!
I just checked and do see the flights you mentioned. My $2-300 estimate was incorrectly based on return costs and not choosing destination based on flight costs. If you put in round trip you will see $400 for the SFO flight. Because I’m doing it later in the year I’ve just looked up Dallas to Las Vegas (further than London to Barcelona), £47 with spirit (bad idea) or £54 with AA. I’ve never paid anywhere near the amount you suggest for an internal flight. I think we paid around £30 to get from LA to SFO last time we went, and you can do Vegas from LA for the same.
I’ve just found NYC to Seattle for less than £100. That’s a 6hr30m flight, the APD alone from the U.K. on that length flight is £78!
I still stand by my statement that flying internally is more expensive here in the US than in Europe. It does appear to be dropping though granted.
h0b0 said:
I still stand by my statement that flying internally is more expensive here in the US than in Europe. It does appear to be dropping though granted.
As always, it's very dependent on where you to go and when (or at least I have found it is!).Anywhere that I want or need to go typically is expensive. Or I can route through 2 different stops and take 27 hours and it's cheaper.
I have found the Google IATA Matrix to be handy for finding decent priced flights in the US.
h0b0 said:
Internal flights are extortionately expensive. $1100 for all those in economy would be a bargain let alone business.
Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
This, Use google flights to check prices. Google bought the company that was previously the best place for checking flight costs so is a good place to start.
US$1,100 for business is pretty good.
Google flights is good but dont forget Southwest Airlines who don't show up on any search engine (as Southwest do not pay commission to Priceline/Expedia and only accept payment directly). Often they're cheaper than other airlines, not sure about Business class though (but if you're flying Peasant class, they're a brilliant airline).
Contract Killer said:
DC to New york
As odd as it is in the US, have you thought about the train for DC to NYC? I usually take flights in the US, even short trips like LAX-LAS but DC and NYC aren't particularly good for airports (unless flying from Washington-National) and the train goes from Union Station (middle of DC) to Pennsylvania Station (middle of Manhattan) and you'd probably save time even though it's a 3 hour journey.
JetBlue's mint class looks good. I travelled with them in peasant class from San Francisco to JFK last year & was impressed - the only thing I didn't like was the bags taking an age to turn up at the belt in New York. Fares were significantly cheaper than either Virgin America or any of the legacy carriers and you get unlimited food & drink, plus free in-flight WiFi in the back.
As others have said, for NY to DC/Boston or vice versa, definitely take the train. Coach class on Northeast Regional/Business on Acela Express is OK, but if you're pushing the boat out, go for either Business on a Regional or First on Acela.
As others have said, for NY to DC/Boston or vice versa, definitely take the train. Coach class on Northeast Regional/Business on Acela Express is OK, but if you're pushing the boat out, go for either Business on a Regional or First on Acela.
captain_cynic said:
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Google flights is good but dont forget Southwest Airlines who don't show up on any search engine (as Southwest do not pay commission to Priceline/Expedia and only accept payment directly). Often they're cheaper than other airlines, not sure about Business class though (but if you're flying Peasant class, they're a brilliant airline).
I'm sorry, but I have to take exception to this. Because my home airport is Southwest's south-eastern hub and I have one or two particularly punitive clients when it comes to work travel, I am forced to use these dirt-bags very frequently.Google flights is good but dont forget Southwest Airlines who don't show up on any search engine (as Southwest do not pay commission to Priceline/Expedia and only accept payment directly). Often they're cheaper than other airlines, not sure about Business class though (but if you're flying Peasant class, they're a brilliant airline).
Historically, their care-free attitude to scheduled maintenance and the frequency by which their pilots failed pre-flight sobriety tests made them something of a laughing stock. Indeed they have had two uncontained engine failures in the last 3 years - exactly the same - but with no plausible explanation. The more recent one resulted in the death of a passenger.
Their boarding procedure is akin to the treatment of farm animals. Their flight delayed/canceled performance (particularly on any Friday) is scandalous and on-line check-in is rigged, so that if you don't use them all the time, you will always have to pay extra to board in group A (half-way through group B and all of Group C will be middle seats).
SWA does have "Business Class" - but all that provides is a refundable ticket and early boarding - there is no business cabin on any SWA flight - all of which are B737 - some of which are ancient old clunkers with a lick of fresh paint.
As you might gather, I f
king hate them with a burning passion.Thanks Guys, i think i will just book the tickets then.
Yes i gather the internal Business is not as good, but still get larger seat, better departure lounge and priority boarding etc, plus includes baggage.
With economy most airlines seem to want an extra 70USD for two suitcases, on a small flight brings the cost half way to business anyway.
Im flying from DC to New York and i am want to get to NY straight away after landing in Dulles. As want to be in NY for new years. (Will be visiting DC on return).
Plus see no point in hiring a car for NY, as looks much easier using the underground?
Will then hire a car (pickup truck
)in Seattle, and Chicago.
Will be 3 weeks in total so most of the flights are fairly spaced out, so just done it as a single each way.
Yes i gather the internal Business is not as good, but still get larger seat, better departure lounge and priority boarding etc, plus includes baggage.
With economy most airlines seem to want an extra 70USD for two suitcases, on a small flight brings the cost half way to business anyway.
Im flying from DC to New York and i am want to get to NY straight away after landing in Dulles. As want to be in NY for new years. (Will be visiting DC on return).
Plus see no point in hiring a car for NY, as looks much easier using the underground?
Will then hire a car (pickup truck
)in Seattle, and Chicago. Will be 3 weeks in total so most of the flights are fairly spaced out, so just done it as a single each way.
Matt Harper said:
I'm sorry, but I have to take exception to this. Because my home airport is Southwest's south-eastern hub and I have one or two particularly punitive clients when it comes to work travel, I am forced to use these dirt-bags very frequently.
Historically, their care-free attitude to scheduled maintenance and the frequency by which their pilots failed pre-flight sobriety tests made them something of a laughing stock. Indeed they have had two uncontained engine failures in the last 3 years - exactly the same - but with no plausible explanation. The more recent one resulted in the death of a passenger.
Their boarding procedure is akin to the treatment of farm animals. Their flight delayed/canceled performance (particularly on any Friday) is scandalous and on-line check-in is rigged, so that if you don't use them all the time, you will always have to pay extra to board in group A (half-way through group B and all of Group C will be middle seats).
SWA does have "Business Class" - but all that provides is a refundable ticket and early boarding - there is no business cabin on any SWA flight - all of which are B737 - some of which are ancient old clunkers with a lick of fresh paint.
As you might gather, I fking hate them with a burning passion.
Come on Matt, tell us what you really think!Historically, their care-free attitude to scheduled maintenance and the frequency by which their pilots failed pre-flight sobriety tests made them something of a laughing stock. Indeed they have had two uncontained engine failures in the last 3 years - exactly the same - but with no plausible explanation. The more recent one resulted in the death of a passenger.
Their boarding procedure is akin to the treatment of farm animals. Their flight delayed/canceled performance (particularly on any Friday) is scandalous and on-line check-in is rigged, so that if you don't use them all the time, you will always have to pay extra to board in group A (half-way through group B and all of Group C will be middle seats).
SWA does have "Business Class" - but all that provides is a refundable ticket and early boarding - there is no business cabin on any SWA flight - all of which are B737 - some of which are ancient old clunkers with a lick of fresh paint.
As you might gather, I f
king hate them with a burning passion.Both Delta and United provide an in-flight meal and free booze up in the front - and free checked bags, of course.
I've also red-eyed home to FL from the west coast on Delta 757/767 that had lie flat seat/bed in Business Elite (now Delta One).
Go out of your way to avoid Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier and Southworst.
I've also red-eyed home to FL from the west coast on Delta 757/767 that had lie flat seat/bed in Business Elite (now Delta One).
Go out of your way to avoid Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier and Southworst.
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